PREP FOOTBALL : Gragnano Steps Into Spotlight, Helps Los Alamitos Win

CERRITOS —  Ryan Gragnano, the newest gear in Los Alamitos’ spare-part offense, was cool on the outside, bone tired inside.

He had just helped the Griffins to a 39-12 victory over Pasadena Muir Thursday at Cerritos Gahr High School. He had scored four touchdowns and accounted for 138 yards, rushing and receiving.

Yet, he was going to handle this like a professional. No giddiness.

“My line blocked good,” Gragnano said. “I just wanted to do what I could when I got the ball.”

Yeah, right, kid.

“He’s been excited all week,” Griffin wide receiver Tony Hartley said. “I have a class with him, I know. He couldn’t wait to get out there.”

So for Gragnano, a better runner than actor, it was all he could have hoped for Thursday.

A week ago, he was a faceless defensive back. Two injuries later, he was center stage.

First, Phil Cruz went down in Los Alamitos’ 23-16 victory over Carson last week. Backup Jared Rollins followed late in that game.

Gragnano was next in line and his stumpy legs were ready.

He gained 55 yards rushing and scored on runs of 25, six, one and one yards. He also caught four passes for 83 yards, including a 22-yard reception that set up another touchdown.

Add to that a full night in secondary and you had one whipped junior.

“I would be more excited, but I’m too tired,” said Gragnano, who is generously listed at 5 feet 9 and 175 pounds.

Said Coach John Barnes: “Actually, I expected him to play that well. We tell all our players that they are one play from being a starter.”

It was a night of understudies for the Griffins (4-0), ranked No. 1 in Orange County.

Sophomore quarterback Sean Stein, who stepped in when Kevin Feterik was injured in the opener, completed 15 of 21 passes for 286 yards and a touchdown. He has thrown for 624 yards and five touchdowns in 3 1/2 games.

Now he’ll sit down because Feterik is expected to be ready to play next week against Long Beach Millikan. But Barnes will sleep better knowing he has a safety net in Stein.

The secret to this interchangeable offense is simple.

“Our practices are tougher than the games,” Hartley said.

Of course, it helps to have some original equipment.

Hartley caught five passes for 84 yards and set up one touchdown with a leaping 29-yard reception.

Brad Melsby caught four passes for 92 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown reception. He also saved the Griffins on defense, tackling Sean Haslip (14 carries, 87 yards) twice in the open field during the same first-quarter drive.

The Mustangs (2-2), who trailed 6-0 at the time, ended up missing a field goal. Gragnano took it from there.